There are signs everywhere that the time is ripe for another rock revolution. Recent months have seen the release of great albums from bands like the White Stripes and The Strokes, coupled with a swift downturn in the chart impact of sugary, fabricated pop acts. Even the mainstream is getting in on the act; bands like Tool and Radiohead are bringing a touch of prog-rock to the masses, while the latest trend among music publications appears to be articles trumpeting the return of rock.
If a movement is on the way, it needs a rearguard. Just as The Beatles and Rolling Stones had Herman's Hermits and Jefferson Airplane in the '60s, and bands like STP and Silverchair added depth (if not quality) to the grunge movement, if the Strokes or the White Stripes are really going to change music (And for the sake of Matthew's argument, let's assume they can -- Ed.), they'll need an army of lesser but like-minded bands behind them. And judging by Rock N Roll Kamikaze, the Dragons could easily fill such a role.
Even by the standards of White Blood Cells or Is This It, The Dragons' sound extremely raw -- which, presumably, is how they like it. Regardless of how well the album is produced, nothing can hide the fact that lead singer Mario Escovedo sounds like he emerged from the womb with a bottle of whiskey and a pack of cigarettes. The guitars behind him are charged with a primal swagger, aiming straight for the jugular, and wasting no time on fills or pointless arpeggios.
But make no mistake -- Rock N Roll Kamikaze is a career-building album. Songs like "Whoa Yeah", "Three Steps From the Bar" and "I Say Go" are driving, punkish rockers fueled by simple riffs and pounding drums. It's "Three Steps From the Bar," though, that perfectly encapsulates Rock N Roll Kamikaze's spirit, with a riff copped from classic AC/DC, and lyrics about women and drinking to excess.
However, it's Escovedo's charismatic presence that really raises the album to a higher level. His raspy voice gives the band the image of a rugged bunch -- the sort who would happily dive into the middle of a mosh pit and take on all comers. Escovedo gives the band a confident, cocksure swagger, and that confidence will enhance your listening experience.
In all likelihood, a rock revolution won't take place. Lacking any strong thread to unite them, apart from the fact they're all excellent, this new generation of rockers is unlikely to have any large-scale impact on the world. But that's hardly a bad thing. It means that those people who know about bands like The Dragons will be privy to inspired, emotional rock songs that transcend music's increasingly pervasive monotony. If Rock N Roll Kamikaze doesn't get a rise out of you, chances are you're beyond hope.
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